Yamaha's YZR-M1 came to the track in 2002, with Max Biaggi who had arrived from Honda onboard. The YZR-M1 was thought to be the complete package, and able to take Yamaha back to winning races.

However, it was found to have a combination of problems which made it very difficult to ride. Firstly the chasis was described by Biaggi as "evil" that chattered often, and a harsh 2-stroke like power delivery. In two seasons it achieved 2 wins - ironically, both in the wet where it was said to be even more diabolical. In the 2003 season Biaggi became almost nonchalant and open rather than discrete on his comments of how bad and useless the bike was, and if only he could be on a Honda, how everything could be okay.

Pictured here is a 1:12 scale replica of a 2003 Yamaha Team Team Tech 3 YZR-M1 MotoGP bike driven by Alex Barros. Features a working suspension, removable fairing, and highly detailed components. Also includes a detachable kickstand.
One piece left in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 7 inches
Height: 3.50 inches

Release Date: 2005

Historical Account: "Alexandre the Great" - Born Alexandre Barros on October 18th, 1970, in São Paulo, Brazil, Alex Barros is a Brazilian motorcycle road racer. After a long career in MotoGP, for 2006 he moved to the World Superbike series. He returns to MotoGP for 2007.

In 1990, Alex Barros was the youngest rider in history to join the top motorcycling category, the 500cc, at the age of 20. In his first year, he was 12th overall, with 57 points. Notable results included 8th in the United States and Germany, and 5th in the Belgium Grand Prix. Two years later, his first podium: a third place in the Netherlands.

The year of 1993 saw his breakthrough as he joined the Suzuki team. After qualifying third in the US Grand Prix, Barros had his first victory in Spain, finishing that year's world championship in sixth place. His team-mate Kevin Schwantz was that year's champion. The following year, Barros scored in all but one the races. 1996 saw his best performance yet, finishing the championship at fourth, a feat he repeated in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2002, the first of MotoGP (with engine displacement capacity increased to up to 990cc) he scored 206 points, eleven points behind second place. 2003 was a difficult one for Barros due to injuries, but in 2004, he once again finished the championship in fourth, in a season dominated by Valentino Rossi, Sete Gibernau and Max Biaggi. In 2005, Barros returned to the top of the podium, at the Portuguese Grand Prix, however he did not mount a lasting championship challenge, and was not offered a ride for 2006. He will return to MotoGP in 2007, riding a Ducati GP7 for Pramac d'Antin. After advising James Toseland not to take the ride, he appears to have pulled a devious move - in pre-season testing he has matched the factory Ducatis.